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Artifacts

News and notes from the San Antonio art scene

Doling it out

Finesilver's newish director, John Tevis, always sounds like he's holding back something, which makes it hard to believe him when he swears that the San Antonio Finesilver/FYI galleries will remain in business when the new location opens in Houston in mid-December. But, some rumors to the contrary, that's the official word. Another rumor is that the Houston location is on art-rich Colquitt, but Tevis isn't saying until they're all set to go. Tevis also isn't inviting the whole world to a Wednesday film series coordinated with an ongoing exhibit of new work by Hills Snyder (also showing are Joey Fauerso and Lordy Rodriguez). If he had a big theater, he says, then the whole world would be invited. Too bad, because it sounds like just the sort of thing that San Antonio pines for. Office of Cultural Affairs, what's going on in that great screening room in the Alameda building on Wednesday evenings?

Always room for one more

Blue Star Contemporary Art Center has come under criticism from local artists in the past year for what's been perceived as corporatization of a board once dominated by artists. It's no secret that in an attempt to stabilize its funding, Blue Star has placed a premium on recruiting board members who can donate and raise cash, but it's also apparent that the institution is trying to build bridges in the community as well. New artist board members include Judge Daniel Guerrero and Gallery One9Zero6 owner and artist Andy Benavides, one of the pioneers of the South Flores Street renaissance. Benavides' place, which includes his popular framing shop, is located just down the street from Franco Mondini-Ruiz' old Infinito Botanica, one of the ignition points for San Antonio's contemporary arts scene ` see "Social Sculpture," April 15-21, 2004`.

In a richly symbolic move and, one hopes, a harbinger of things to come, Blue Star's most recent opening night party (for the ongoing Julie Speed exhibition) was a barbeque at Benavides' shop, where artists Jesse Amado and Chuck Ramirez presided over the food. In recent years, Blue Star sometimes felt like a private Southtown club, and the opening parties were often held in one of a handful of usual suspects' homes; here's to a renewed spirit of collaboration, cross-fertilization, and wide-open doors.